Crete Suspect Admits Hamas Membership, Tied to Cyprus Bomb Plot

A 37-year-old Palestinian man arrested in Crete on Saturday has told Greek investigators he is a Hamas member and was in direct contact with suspects already detained in Cyprus over planned attacks on Israeli-linked targets across Europe.

The suspect, a Gaza native who had been living and working legally at a hotel in Agios Nikolaos, was arrested after Greek intelligence tracked him through phone and laptop data seized during the Cyprus investigation. He had been under surveillance before his arrest and showed little suspicious behavior at work, according to officials.

The group was targeting Israelis, one of the Cyprus suspects admitted, though no specific locations were named.

During interrogation, he admitted ordering materials online to manufacture explosives, though investigators say he had not yet built a device. A search of his Athens apartment in Patissia turned up a precision scale and a glass measuring cup, both still in their original packaging. Authorities also seized mobile phones, a laptop, SIM cards, and data storage devices.

According to investigators, the man had traveled to Malaysia for bomb-making training, the same training camp attended by two Hamas suspects arrested in Cyprus in late May. Those two were caught picking up a package containing explosive device components. Greek and Cypriot intelligence agencies shared information throughout the operation, with a phone number recovered in Cyprus leading investigators directly to Crete.

The broader cell is believed to have consisted of three members. The two Cyprus suspects are alleged to have held leadership roles, while all three reportedly trained together in Malaysia. One of the Cyprus suspects admitted the group was targeting Israelis but did not name specific locations.

Greek officials believe the suspect was still in the preparation phase and was not yet able to carry out an attack, but expressed concern he could attempt one in the near future. An Israeli-linked cruise ship was reportedly due to arrive in Crete on Tuesday, though counterterrorism officials said it was unlikely to have been the immediate target given the device was not ready.

Investigations are continuing on both sides of the Mediterranean, with authorities working to identify any additional associates in Greece, Cyprus, and beyond.